A huge crane has lifted a truck out of the River Cam after it rolled into the water.

The vehicle and its trailer fell into the river outside Queens' and Magdalene College boat houses yesterday (April 3).

Cables and ropes being attached to the sunken truck (Image: Paul Knights)

Another larger trailer for transporting rowing boats was also partly pulled into the water by the truck.

The "devastated" driver of the truck, which belonged to broadband contractor the John Henry Group, told the News at the scene that he had left the handbrake on.

The truck lies floating half submerged in the water (Image: Paul Knights)

A crane, operated by Frank Ratfcliffe & Son, was on site from around 6am this morning (April 4).

Men wearing waterproof and protective clothing were photographed attaching cables and ropes to the rear of the sunken truck.

The truck's trailer is retrieved from the water (Image: Paul Knights)

The crane then winched the submerged vehicle almost vertically out of the water before depositing it back on dry land.

Paul Knights, who looks after the boats at Queens' and Magdalene College Boat Clubs, said the whole operation took more than three hours.

The truck is vertically lifted out of the river (Image: Paul Knights)

"None of the diesel and fuel had escaped, so that's great," Mr Knights said. "Nothing else from the vehicle ended up in the river so that's good news."

The truck back safe on dry land (Image: Paul Knights)

Mr Knights said it was a "relief" no major damage had been caused to the boat club, but a trailer belonging to Magdalene Boat Club would be taken away to be checked over ahead of an upcoming race meeting.

"It's just one of those freak accidents," he added. "They did check the hand brake and it was on.